PM introduces Georgian Dream mayoral candidates in western Georgia

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili has started his regional tour within the election campaign for the Municipal Elections of 2017.

This weekend, Kvirikashvili presented Georgian Dream ruling party’s mayoral candidates in the Imereti and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti regions in western Georgia.

He summed up the governmental projects that benefited people residing in Georgia’s regions during the past several years and added that all of these projects will continue and will enlarge.

He also announced several infrastructural projects that the Government has in mind for these regions.

Presenting mayoral candidates in western Georgia. Photo: PM's press office.

Kvirikashvili said that by the end of this year, construction of the first section of a road connecting Racha with Sachkhere in Imereti will begin.

"It will create brand new opportunities for Racha-Lechkhumi and Lentekhi”, Kvirikashvili said.

"I am sure that this is a project that will significantly ease access with the capital city for each resident of the region”, he added.

He also said that the government is also working on plans for a road to connect the city of Kutaisi in Imereti with mountainous Kvemo and Zemo Svaneti.

The Municipal Elections 2017 will take place on October 21. Photo: PM's press office.

The Prime Minister said that "important projects” are being developed to enlarge Kutaisi International Airport. He added that a new railway will reach the airport from Tbilisi and soon a large logistics centre will be built near the airport, which will increase Georgia’s transit potential.

"Our country has the ambition to become the economic centre of the region. And the centre of our country’s spatial development will be Kutaisi”, Kvirikashvili said.

He also said that according to the government’s strategic plan, local self-governments will get their budgets doubled during the next 10 years.

"This will result in professionals returning to their native regions and work there in order to benefit our country and their municipalities”, Kvirikashvili said.

The Municipal Elections 2017 will take place in Georgia on October 21.

At these elections, self-governing cities will elect mayors as well as members and chairs of local councils.